Patents by Inventor Jan Walker

Jan Walker has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7705601
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the remaining useable life, or “wellness,” of a contactor or motor starter, and for predicting impending faults of such a device, is disclosed. By monitoring actuating coil current, actuating coil voltage, line current, and/or line voltage, the present invention can calculate wellness metrics which, when compared to threshold values, may be used as indicators of remaining life and/or imminent failures. The invention also provides non-mechanical positive indications of proper closures and openings of contacts for safety interlocking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Xin Zhou, Jan Walker
  • Publication number: 20080074215
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the remaining useable life, or “wellness,” of a contactor or motor starter, and for predicting impending faults of such a device, is disclosed. By monitoring actuating coil current, actuating coil voltage, line current, and/or line voltage, the present invention can calculate wellness metrics which, when compared to threshold values, may be used as indicators of remaining life and/or imminent failures. The invention also provides non-mechanical positive indications of proper closures and openings of contacts for safety interlocking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Xin Zhou, Jan Walker
  • Patent number: 7057311
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical isolation apparatus having independently controllable contactors. The isolation apparatus includes a contactor for each phase or pole of an electrical device as well as each phase or pole of a load. Each contactor is constructed so that each includes multiple contact assemblies that may be independently controlled to open and close. Moreover, the contactors within a single contactor assembly or housing can be independently controlled so that the contacts of one contactor can be opened without opening the contacts of the other contactors in the contactor assembly. Additionally, the contactors are construct and controlled such that a single line side contactor and a single load contactor open simultaneously when an open circuit condition is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Xin Zhou, Michael T. Little, James Kinsella, Jan Walker, Edward L. Wellner, James A. Becker